Le Pavillon de Vendôme

Our favorite place in town for a picnic is Le Pavillon de Vendôme. Surrounded by a stunning French style garden, the pavillion is an architectural gem. It was built in 1665 by Louis de Mercoeur, the Duc de Vendôme, as a hiding place for his love affair with Lucréce de Forbin Solliés. Through the years it was home to aristocrats, the 18th century artist Jean-Baptiste Van Loo, and was a Catholic boarding school for girls. It is now an art gallery with a permanent collection of 17th and 18th century paintings and furniture, as well as a contemporary art exhibition. The gardens are free to enter and totally worth the trip alone. The home costs €3.50 per person to tour. On one occasion at the pavillion, we coughed up the money and went inside. The home itself is beautiful. I couldn't really get behind the modern art exhibit (think pieces of black carpet glued to white pedestals taking up an entire room, another room completely empty except for a parachute on the floor), but Monsieur Bacon enjoyed it. We didn't stay too long, as the kids were getting tired and trying to climb on 17th century couches to lay down. We totally recommend the gardens. The home...eh. It was fun to go in once, but it is not a must-see.

The kids terrorizing pigeons:

There is a small children's park on the grounds. Language is hardly a barrier when it comes to play.